Cape & Namibia Discovery - 11 days
Cape & Namibia Discovery - 11 days
Cape & Namibia Discovery - 11 days
11 Days Starting in Cape Town and ending in Windhoek
Visiting: Cape Town, Cederberg Municipality, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Solitaire, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park, Windhoek
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2537/CNMD
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Age range:
18 and over. Anyone over 65 to complete a Tour Suitability Form
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
CAMPING SAFARI: Set off from Cape Town and journey through the Western Cape before crossing into Namibia to explore this incredible country. Marvel at Fish River Canyon, climb Dune 45 in the Namib Desert and take in the dramatic Deadvlei salt pan. Relax in the German colonial resort town of Swakopmund, see the Bushman paintings of Spitzkoppe and search for wildlife in Etosha National Park before arriving in the country's capital, Windhoek.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town, Cederberg Municipality
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Cape Town - Cederberg. Our African adventure begins today with a tour of the Cape Flats, to the east of the city. Visiting a local township, we'll meet local people and discover some of the community projects in the area. Then it's time to climb aboard our overland truck as we head north, through the Western Cape and the fruit-growing region of Citrusdal. Our first night is spent camping by the Olifants River in the Cederberg area, and you will have the opportunity to taste some of the region's famous wines.
Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Cape Town the day before your tour. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.
Day 2: Orange River
Location: Cederberg Municipality, Orange River
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cederberg - Orange River (Namibia). Continuing north, we pass through drier, rockier territory until we reach the Namibian border, crossing at Vioolsdrift. Tonight's campsite is beside the Gariep (AKA Orange) River, which marks the border between South Africa and Namibia for much of its length. The river is safe for swimming, and you can also enjoy an optional canoe trip on this important waterway either today or on day 3. The dark skies in this isolated area are also great for stargazing.
Day 3: Fish River Canyon
Location: Fish River Canyon, Orange River
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Orange River - Fish River Canyon. There is time for the optional canoe safari this morning, if we didn't have time yesterday. Then we drive north to Fish River Canyon, second only in size to the Grand Canyon in the USA. More than 500 metres deep and scarring the land for 160km, it's a jaw-dropping sight to behold. We'll stop at a couple of viewpoints and visit the canyon's famously sharp bend, known as 'Hell's Corner'.
Day 4: Namib Naukluft National Park
Location: Namib-Naukluft National Park, Fish River Canyon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fish River Canyon - Namib-Naukluft National Park. We have a long drive today as we journey to the edge of Namib-Naukluft National Park, which protects great swathes of the Namib Desert and the Naukluft mountains. We'll camp on the edge of the park, ready to explore tomorrow.
Day 5: Namib Naukluft National Park
Location: Solitaire, Namib-Naukluft National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Namib-Naukluft National Park - Solitaire. It's time to explore the Namib Desert! Our first stop is mighty Dune 45, one of the tallest sand dunes in the region. It's a dazzling sight, and the reward for climbing to the top is incredible views over the surrounding area. Then it's on to Deadvlei, a barren salt pan with petrified trees, completely surrounded by rolling sand dunes.
Our last stop is Sesriem Canyon, which isn't as impressive as Fish River Canyon, but it is worth a visit nonetheless. Tonight's campsite is in the tiny desert settlement of Solitaire.
Day 6-7: Swakopmund
Location: Solitaire, Swakopmund
Meals Included: Breakfast
Solitaire - Swakopmund. On day 6 we drive to Swakopmund, a German colonial town located on Namibia's famous Skeleton Coast. We'll be staying in simple dormitory accommodation in Swakopmund, rather than camping.
The rest of day 6 and the following day are free for you to explore Swakopmund as you see fit. Wander around the town and indulge in the relaxed cafe culture and German colonial architecture. There are also lots of optional activities available including quad-biking, sand boarding, skydiving, and dolphin-watching cruises. See the Trip Notes for further details.
Day 8: Spitzkoppe
Location: Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Swakopmund - v. Leaving coastal Swakopmund, we head into the Damaraland region and our destination - Spitzkoppe. At this mountain peak, you can see incredibly well-preserved bushmen paintings and spectacular rock formations reaching 1800 metres above sea level. As the sun moves across the sky, the rocks change colour, a sight that is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. We'll be staying at a campsite at the base of the mountain, so you can enjoy this sunset with a refreshing drink.
Please note that some travellers may be joining the tour in Swakopmund.
Day 9-10: Etosha National Park
Location: Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spitzkoppe - Etosha National Park. The next two days will be spent exploring Namibia's iconic Etosha National Park. This 20,000 square kilometre reserve is dominated by a salt pan, which floods seasonally but is also home to a select few watering holes all year round. Wildlife is easy to spot as the animals tend to gather around these scarce water sources.
We spend two nights in the park, and our itinerary is flexible depending on the conditions and the location of wildlife. We'll generally enjoy a short game drive on day 9 before spending our first night at a camp with a floodlit watering hole. Here you may be lucky enough to spot elephants, giraffe, hyenas and even lions.
Day 10 is spent on a full day's game drive across the park, stopping whenever we see anything of interest. We will either return to our first campsite, or perhaps a different one, depending on your tour leader's decision.
Day 11: Windhoek
Location: Etosha National Park, Windhoek
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Etosha National Park - Windhoek. Today we arrive in Namibia's charming capital. Windhoek is a tiny capital by global standards, with a population of just 470,000 people. It has lots of German architecture, a reminder of Namibia's early colonial past.
Our tour ends on arrival in the city. If you would like to stay for a few days to explore, then we can book post-tour accommodation for you.
Day 11: Windhoek
Location: Windhoek
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Etosha National Park - Windhoek. Today we arrive in Namibia's charming capital. Windhoek is a tiny capital by global standards, with a population of just 470,000 people. It has lots of German architecture, a reminder of Namibia's early colonial past.
Our tour ends on arrival in the city. If you would like to stay for a few days to explore, then we can book post-tour accommodation for you.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Camping -
8 nights camping in 2-person dome tents and 2 nights in dorm accommodation in Swakopmund (please refer to the trip notes for details)
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10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 8 dinners
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Escorted by a licensed 2-person crew
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Transportation in a 24-seater overland truck with camping and cooking equipment
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Cape Town Township Tour
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Fish River Canyon & Sesriem visit
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Sossusvlei shuttle, guided walk and Dune 45 excursion
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Spitzkoppe excursion to see Bushmen paintings
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Etosha National Park game drives
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Sleeping mattress (you will need to bring your own sleeping bag)
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
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Sleeping bag - please bring your own
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
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Optional activities (prices listed in Trip Notes), meals not listed in inclusions, additional drinks and items of a personal nature
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Airport transfers - can be booked on request
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Optional activities (prices listed in Trip Notes)
Accommodation
Highlanders Campsite
Nestled among the wine farms at the foot of the Cederberg mountains, this campsite is a perfect stopover in the Namaqualand region. Highlanders is set on 3 levels, giving campers plenty of space between each of the 5 individual camp areas, and a 12-room ensuite lodge has recently been added to the site. Each camp has a 'braai' pit, sink unit & power. There are stunning mountain views from the solar-powered hot showers, and a locally-sourced wine bar by the scenic swimming pool.
Felix Unite campsite
Overlooking the Orange River and boasting an outdoor pool, Felix Unite is a scenically located campsite with amenities including an onsite shop, restaurant and ATM. Wi-Fi is available in communal areas and there are barbecue facilities for guests to enjoy alongside the dramatic scenery.
Canyon Roadhouse Campsite
Guests at Canyon Roadhouse Campsite are welcome to make use of the adjacent lodge's facilities, including a restaurant, swimming pool and bar, located in the middle of a museum of old vehicles. The campsite is located near Fish River Canyon and next to a dry riverbed, with shared ablution facilities and a BBQ pit to enjoy.
Sossus Oasis Overland Camp (campsite)
Surrounded by desert and found at the edge of Namib-Naukluft National Park, the pitches at this campsite are shaded by camel thorn trees and facilities include power outlets, water, lighting and a BBQ area. There's an onsite pool and shared bathroom facilities including showers with wonderful desert views! The Sossus Oasis shop sells a range of drinks, ice wood and other amenities. The restaurant at nearby Sossusvlei Lodge also comes well recommended.
Sossus on Foot (campsite)
On the road to Swakopmund and located just outside the small town of Solitaire, Sossus on Foot (also known as Bushman's Camp) offers three large campsites with shared ablution facilities, including warm solar-heated showers. There is a small swimming pool for escaping the desert heat. A bar serves refreshing beers and there is a private watering hole for guests to watch the local wildlife. There is no Wi-Fi or electric hook-up, making this campsite the perfect place to disconnect from the world!
Amanpuri Travellers Lodge
Amanpuri Travellers Lodge offers comfortable accommodation in the heart of Swakopmund, close to the resort town's beaches, restaurants and shops. The onsite restaurant serves a buffet breakfast, you can grab a coffee or a beer at the bar, and there's a communal courtyard for relaxation. Free Wi-Fi connection is available throughout the property. If travelling on one of our Accommodated tours then you will enjoy an ensuite room at Amanpuri, whereas travellers on our camping tours will stay in dorm accommodation with shared bathroom facilities.
Spitzkoppe Community Rest Camp (campsite)
Staying in the shadow of the dramatic Spitzkoppe rock formations is a memorable experience, and at the Spitzkoppe Community Rest Camp you can enjoy this experience knowing that the proceeds from your stay go straight to supporting the local community. Although there is no electricity or Wi-Fi at this remote camp, guests can enjoy hot showers and there are shared bathroom facilities. There is a small onsite bar and restaurant, and braai BBQ facilities are also provided.
Okaukuejo Camp (campsite)
The highlight of Okaukuejo Camp is probably the floodlit watering hole, where it is possible to see all manner of animals close up, including elephants, black rhino and antelope. There's also an onsite swimming pool, shop, bar and restaurant serving daily buffet breakfast and other meals. All of these facilities are available for campers to use. Camping pitches are spacious and there are shared bathroom facilities.
Check out our Q&As
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.